Build & Design
THE BUSHMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
DISCOVER YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE WISDOM OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON EARTH
Build & Design
THE BUSHMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
DISCOVER YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE WISDOM OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON EARTH
Build & Design
THE BUSHMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
DISCOVER YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE WISDOM OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON EARTH
Build & Design
THE BUSHMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
DISCOVER YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE WISDOM OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON EARTH
Build & Design
THE BUSHMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
DISCOVER YOUR CONNECTION WITH THE WISDOM OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON EARTH

In a time of environmental catastrophe, the creation mythology of the |Xam Bushmen offers a prophetic journey into who we are and who we are meant to be. Giant narrative tapestries cover the walls, and the living Bushman artists who made them will guide you around, exploring with you their meanings. This unique coming together of ancient Bushman wisdom and contemporary Bushman art is the only museum of its kind in Southern Africa.

The |Xam Bushmen

The |Xam Bushmen of South Africa became extinct during the genocide of the Bushmen in the 18th and 19th centuries.But their amazing mythology survived. Visiting the museum is an immersive experience into their rich vision.

Art Centre

The Bethesda Arts Centre, which hosts the Bushman Heritage Museum, is a project tackling the social and psychological damage left behind by genocide. At the Centre, local Bushman descendants have overcome alcoholism and loss of identity, and learned art skills to create the tapestries in the museum.

Community

Our work includes running workshops in art-making skills, children’s workshops, an annual New Year’s Eve Festival of Lights, events for the pensioners of the village, online-learning assistance for young people, and sharing food grown in our own large vegetable garden.

These are our stories

In 2020, a film These are our Stories, was completed, directed by Nana Dankwa, written by Jeni Couzyn, and with input from director Adriel Leff, producers Bernard Kordieh and Julian Friedmann, cameramen Lewi  London and Tiepolo, sound engineer Jay Picasso